Forever Ago

Chapter 9

After opening up to Chris and letting him know how you had felt, to say you were relieved would have been an understatement. It was like a weight had been lifted off your shoulders; years of heaviness suddenly gone as the words tumbled from your mouth.

But there was something else you couldn't quite believe; Chris had felt the same way about you. Once he told you about how he started gaining feelings for you right before your parents' car accident, you didn't know what to believe.

You had cried, that was for sure. Yet you didn't know if they were tears of happiness, or sadness. Because of that, you told Chris you needed some time to think about things as he was more than willing to jump straight into a relationship with you as he said his feelings for you never ceased. The only problem was that you had spent years trying to forget him; wanting him out of your life for the way he ignored you for so long.

Two days after your talk, you were sitting on the porch of your house; admiring the expanse greenery of the yard. While you loved New York City and the busyness of it all, this would always be home to you. But now you were ready to sell the home you lived in growing up; the home you shared with your parents; the home where you first met Chris.

There was a slight wind as you curled a thick blanket around your body; your feet tucking up under you as you relaxed with your thoughts, trying to decide what to do about you and Chris. On one hand, he had been your best friend since kindergarten and you knew most relationships that started out as friends first, were usually the ones to survive. But on the other hand, a few years after the two of you went to college, it was as if you didn't exist in his life anymore. No more phone calls, texts or emails; nothing. It broke your heart and pulled you into a deep functioning depression that took years to break out of; you most certainly didn't want to go down that road again.

The soft hum of the bristling leaves made your body calm and relaxed, but thinking about everything made your head hurt. In the distance you heard the sound of a barking dog. At first it was quiet, far away, but the barking grew louder until you saw a dog run around the corner and straight to you. It was a tan dog with white on its chest, belly and paws.

"Well aren't you just the cutest thing," you cooed as you took the blanket from your arms so you could pet the dog.

"Dodger!" the familiar voice of Chris broke through the quiet in the backyard. Snapping your head up you saw Chris running around the corner and coming to a stop; relief flooding his face when he saw you with the dog.

"He's yours?" you asked, brows furrowed.

Chris was breathing deeply as he nodded his head. He walked over to you and Dodger. "He was with Scott out in Los Angeles. They both arrived here late last night. I was taking him for a walk and the little bugger got off his leash and zipped off like a damn racecar."

You couldn't help but chuckle, wishing you had been able to witness it yourself. Dodger laid his head on your lap, tongue hanging out as you happily scratched behind his ears. "He's adorable Chris," you spoke honestly, leaning down to give Dodger a kiss on his forehead; his hair tickling your nose.

"I got him while filming a movie. We were shooting a scene in a shelter and when I realized that all the dogs were not actually actor dogs and were available for adoption, well, the second I saw him I knew I had to save him." Your heart melted listening to the story of how Chris met Dodger.

Chris came over and sat down on the chair next to you, watching as your fingers disappeared into the thick fur of his dog. Dodger's fur was so soft and you couldn't get enough of it. You had always wanted a dog, but your dad was allergic to them and by the time you moved into your own place, there just wasn't enough room for a dog to run around and be happy.